Disappearance In Dulce: The Case Of Melissa Montoya

The FOX True Crime Podcast w/ Emily Compagno

Fox News

True Crime

4.8 • 708 Ratings

🗓️ 18 June 2024

⏱️ 42 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

42-year-old Melissa Montoya lived in Dulce, New Mexico, within the Jicarilla Apache Nation. Though she was a quiet woman, there was a profound strength about Melissa. But beneath the surface, she harbored a dark secret - she was the victim of domestic violence. In the days before her disappearance, Melissa warned her family that if something bad happened to her, it was her boyfriend. On March 17th, 2001, Melissa's words came true, and she was never seen again. Attorney Darlene Gomez represents Melissa's family. She discusses the facts of her disappearance and a breakthrough development that could potentially mean answers in the case. Later, she sheds light on the unique obstacles that hinder justice in the cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women. Darlene Gomez has practiced law for over 21 years and specializes in both Indian Law and Complex Family Law. She shares her legal expertise and platform to advocate for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Relatives (MMIWR). Follow Emily on Instagram: @realemilycompagno If you have a story or topic we should feature on the FOX True Crime Podcast, send us an email at: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:32.8	Located among the limestone painted mesas near Copper Mountains that touch the skies, lies Dolce, New Mexico, the tribal capital of the Hickoria Apache Nation.
0:43.7	There lived Melissa Montoya, otherwise known as Lisa, by her family.
0:49.3	Her beauty was striking, and although she was a quiet woman, there was a profound strength about her.
0:55.1	But beneath the surface, Melissa harbored a dark secret. She was a victim of domestic violence.
1:01.2	The monster had tormented Melissa for nearly four years. He isolated her from her friends and family,
1:07.5	violently abused and humiliated her, at one point, even hanging her naked from a tree. Throughout the
1:14.5	relationship, Melissa feared that if she left her boyfriend, he would take her life. In March of 2001,
1:21.2	Melissa pushed through her fear and broke up with her abuser. She left her family with a grim
1:26.4	warning, saying that if she went missing,
1:29.1	or if something bad happened to her, that it would be her boyfriend. St. Patrick's Day came,
1:35.2	and Melissa attended a party at the Hickoria Apache House of Spirits. But in a haunting turn,
1:40.7	it would be the last time anyone saw or heard from Melissa ever again.
1:45.8	I'm Emily Campano, and this is the Fox True Crime podcast.
2:24.2	Music When no one heard from Melissa in the days following the celebration, she was reported missing. Police were notified, but the investigation appeared to move at a glacial pace.
2:31.8	Roughly three months after Melissa disappeared, her abuser died.
2:36.0	Though many believed he took his own life, new communication from officers revealed he had
2:41.0	an unattended death.
	...

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